[Barberous]

To quote http://community.livejournal.com/broadwaysecrets/ :



I saw this show a long time ago and it all seemed to hang together pretty well. The whole thing's implausible, of course, but it's a melodramatic story. I've heard that POTO is particularly riddled with plot holes though. Do you think that is true or not? And if you do, what are the plot holes?

[operafantomet]

I think the MOVIE is full of plot holes, but not the stage version. There are a few, certainly, but it's definitely not "riddled with plot holes". What I think is a bit bizarre is:

*How can Raoul be so old in the auction, when it's only ca. 20 years later? There's been lots of year changes to this aspect since the premiere:

*The original libretto had the story set in 1881 and the Auction in 1905.
*The Hamburg production ket the year of the Auction, but pushed the story back to 1871 (which I think was the original intention, judging from the costume design - it's MUCH more 1870's than 1880's, at least for the ladies).
*Many has kept the 1881 date for the storyline, but pushed the Auction to 1911 (amongst them Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Sweden and the World Tour)
*The Japanese productions dates the Auction to 1905, but puts the story to "Paris in the middle of the 19.th century (which I think it a bit incorrect)
*Updated West End and Broadway brochures avoid mentioning any specific years at all....

Also: keep watching the different years on the grave in "Wishing you were somehow here again". They vary quite a bit in different production...

*How come Raoul sais that no-one will force Christine to sing, and then he turns around and literally forces her? That's one thing which has never made sense to me. It ruins the character a bit, at least.

*I also have certain problems getting Christine's motivation for claiming she will NOT sing in "Don Juan", and the second after she's rehearsing the role. It would make sense if WYWSHA came in between "Notes II" and the DJT rehearsal - but as it's presented now, its certainly a weak spot in the plot.

There are the things that's bugging me. I'm sure others will have different issues! Hehehe.

[jcstar]

I have always found it awkward that we go from the title song to the Phantom's tirade (I Have Brought You...) to a romantic ballad (MOTN). The transition just bothers me.

In "The Mirror," Phantom insults Raoul twice and Christine seems to completely ignore it and changes the subject. Why?

Andy.

[Fantine]

Oh this is interesting Can't really think of anything yet though.[/b]

[nabla]

I always found Raoul's age at the auction a little odd
and do not get me started on the movie...

[Quique]

I know there are more, but Anea listed the major ones. Phantom is plot-hole ridden, but I still enjoy it.

[ConverseSneaker]

[jcstar]

Ah. Hero-worship.

Andy.